Pelosi On Barr: "He Lied To Congress - If Anybody Else Did That It Would Be Considered A Crime"

During testimony to Congress last month, Attorney General William Barr was directly asked by Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL) if he was aware of any concerns/frustrations Special Counsel Robert Mueller or his team had regarding Barr's now-infamous four page 'summary' of Mueller's two year investigation.

At the time, Barr told Crist, "No, I don't."

But this week, news of a letter from Mueller to Barr expressing frustrations that Barr's summary mischaracterized the investigation's context and substance now puts Barr's denial in a new perspective.

He had received the letter from Mueller and had a phone call with the Special Counsel about the summary. So, he lied to Congress when he said he didn't know of any concerns on Mueller's part.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was asked today how she felt about the statements by Barr.

Pelosi didn't hold back. "He lied to Congress - if anyone else did that it would be considered a crime."

Nancy Pelosi: "[Barr] lied to Congress. If anybody else did that, it would be considered a crime. Nobody is above the law. Not the President of the United States and not the attorney general."
Via CBS pic.twitter.com/uJN6hUgpwY

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 2, 2019

Yesterday, Rep. Adam Schiff echoed the same sentiments.

Q: Did the Attorney General lie to Congress?

"I think his statement is deliberately false and misleading." -- @RepAdamSchiff pic.twitter.com/TmTOqW45hT

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) May 1, 2019

Why Doesn't Trump Want Report That "Totally Exonerates" Him To Be Released?

Donald Trump

Now, if you had a report that "totally exonerated" you of any wrongdoing, wouldn't you want the world to see that?

Donald Trump tweeted this morning questioning why Congressional Democrats should be allowed to see the report filed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller regarding Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

"Why should Radical Left Democrats in Congress have a right to retry and examine the $35,000,000 (two years in the making) No Collusion Mueller Report, when the crime committed was by Crooked Hillary, the DNC and Dirty Cops? Attorney General Barr will make the decision!"

Why should Radical Left Democrats in Congress have a right to retry and examine the $35,000,000 (two years in the making) No Collusion Mueller Report, when the crime committed was by Crooked Hillary, the DNC and Dirty Cops? Attorney General Barr will make the decision!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2019

Trump previously told the press that he wanted the report released to the public.

Now, why had he changed his mind? #ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmm

@realDonaldTrump:
First of all, Freedom of Information Act.

Secondly, it's not just the "Radical Left Democrats in Congress" that want to examine the report, it's America.

Lastly...we as taxpayers paid for the Mueller Report & now we'd like to read what we payed for.#TrumpLies https://t.co/Wx4Oj81Uum

— momlovesfaith (@momlovesfaith) April 13, 2019

Not retrying, just seeing it. What’s the use of having an investigation without reading the findings? Besides, it’s not just the “radical left democrats” who want to see the report. It’s all Americans, #dividerInChief #protesterInChief

— Diane Rabinowitz (@samadhiP) April 13, 2019

Senate Confirms Jeff Sessions As Attorney General By Vote Of 52-47

By a narrow vote of 52-47, Jeff Sessions was confirmed today by the U.S. Senate as the next Attorney General.

The vote was along party lines except for Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia who voted with Republicans for confirmation.

Manchin, a blue-dog Democrat from a solid red state, is up for re-election in 2018.

Sessions, still a Senator at the time, voted "present."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Silenced From Speaking On Senate Floor During Sessions Confirmation

Senate Republicans found a way to silence Sen. Elizabeth Warren tonight, utilizing arcane Senate rule XIX, during debate on Sen. Jeff Sessions’ nomination for attorney general.

The rule reads, in part, “no Senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute another Senator or other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator.”

More from the Star-Telegram:

Warren, D-Mass., was found to be in violation of the rule after reading from a 1986 letter from Coretta Scott King, the widow of Martin Luther King Jr. King submitted the letter to the Senate in opposition to Sessions nomination for a federal judgeship in 1986. He was not confirmed for the position.

Warren also quoted critical comments from former Sen. Ted Kennedy.

She was warned by Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, who was the the presiding officer Tuesday night, after reading comments from Kennedy that called Sessions “a disgrace.”

About 20 minutes later, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, stopped Warren saying she had “impugned the motives and conduct of” Sessions.

Here is the part of the letter from King that McConnell objected to: “Mr. Sessions has used the awesome powers of his office in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters. For this reprehensible conduct, he should not be rewarded with a federal judgeship.”

Warren replied: “I am surprised that the words of Coretta Scott King are not suitable for debate in the United States Senate.”

Warren is now barred from speaking in the Senate for the remainder of the confirmation debate on Sen. Sessions for Attorney General.

Here's the 1986 letter from Coretta Scott King that Warren was reading from:

Here's the moment Warren was told to sit down and shut up:

I spoke out about @SenatorSessions – until @SenateMajLdr McConnell decided to silence me. https://t.co/qbty7x0iLl

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017

Mitch McConnell and 45 other Republican white men just shushed a woman...for reading the words of a black woman about standing up to racism.

— Bill Harnsberger (@BillinPortland) February 8, 2017

Cannot be more clear: every single Republican Senator present just voted that Coretta Scott King's own words can't read on the Senate floor.

— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) February 8, 2017

Sen. Cory Booker Will Testify Against Jeff Sessions' Attorney General Nomination

The hearing to confirm Sen. Jeff Sessions is currently underway, being broadcast on all cable networks.

CNN has the details regarding Sen. Cory Booker's historic testimony:

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker is set to testify against Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions Wednesday in an unprecedented move during his attorney general confirmation. This would be the first time in Senate history that a sitting senator will testify against another sitting senator for a Cabinet post during a confirmation.

“I do not take lightly the decision to testify against a Senate colleague,” Booker said. “But the immense powers of the attorney general combined with the deeply troubling views of this nominee is a call to conscience.”

Sessions’ confirmation hearings, which begin Tuesday, are expected to raise additional questions on old allegations of racism from his past. When Sessions was a 39-year-old US attorney in Alabama, he was denied a federal judgeship because the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony during hearings in March and May 1986 that Sessions had made racist remarks and called the NAACP and ACLU “un-American.”

Booker called Sessions’ record “concerning in a number of ways,” citing his opposition to bipartisan criminal justice reform and immigration reform, criticism of the Voting Rights Act and his “failure to defend the civil rights of women, minorities, and LGBT Americans.”

You can watch the hearing currently underway at the streaming link below:

Sarah Flores, a spokesperson for Sessions, told CNN this morning that Sessions considers the Obergefell decision, which made same-sex marriage the law of the land, "settled law."

As AG, would Jeff Sessions challenge laws that he doesn't support, like same sex marriage? His spokesman weighs in: https://t.co/Ven4Edakwz

— Alisyn Camerota (@AlisynCamerota) January 10, 2017

Sen. Jeff Sessions Tapped For Attorney General In Trump Administration

Early Trump supporter, Sen. Jeff Sessions, has been tapped by Donald Trump to act as U.S. Attorney General.

Sessions currently serves as Chairman of the Judiciary committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Refugees.

In 1986, Sessions was considered for a federal judgeship, but was rejected for racially insensitive remarks, including calling the NAACP and the ACLU "un-American."

A witness also testified Sessions said the Ku Klux Klan was okay “until I found out they smoked pot,” a comment Sessions insisted was a joke.

As senator, Sessions worked to oppose the Affordable Care Act and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act, and voted for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. So, a friend of the LGBT community he is not.

Civil rights groups are not pleased with the AG nomination.

From People For The American Way:

The last time Senator Sessions sought Senate confirmation was 1986 when he was nominated to be a federal judge. Despite the fact that Republicans controlled the chamber at the time, he was rejected because of a long history of racially insensitive remarks and a disastrous record on civil rights.

In the last 30 years, Sessions has done nothing that demonstrates that the Senate’s judgement was incorrect or that he’s learned from his mistakes. Instead, he’s spent years making a name for himself as one of the Senate’s most extreme anti-immigrant voices, even attacking the Constitution’s guarantee of birthright citizenship.

As a senator he’s voted in favor of torture programs under the Bush administration and opposed hate crime protections for LGBT people. If anyone still thinks that Donald Trump might govern with more responsibility or moderation than he campaigned, this nomination is a wakeup call. The Senate should reject this nomination.

Senate: Loretta Lynch Approved As Attorney General By Vote Of 56-43

After waiting on hold for more than five months, Loretta Lynch was approved by the U.S. Senate today by a vote of 56-43 to serve as U.S. attorney general.

Lynch becomes the first African-American woman to lead the Justice Department.

All Democrats voted for her, plus 10 Republicans: Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Thad Cochran (Miss.), Susan Collins (Maine), Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Orrin Hatch (Utah), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Rob Portman (Ohio) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.).

The delay for Lynch's confirmation vote was a result of Senate Republicans using her confirmation as a political football in a dispute over abortion language in an anti-human trafficking bill. The Senate reached a compromise on that bill earlier this week, clearing the way for Lynch's vote.

U.S. Senate To Move Forward On Loretta Lynch Attorney General Confirmation Vote

Senate reaches deal to vote on confirmation of Loretta Lynch http://t.co/U0czsoWOaQ

— Post Politics (@postpolitics) April 21, 2015

Attorney General Eric Holder: "Nothing justifies excluding same-sex couples from the institution of marriage"

Attorney General Eric Holder

In an op-ed for USA Today, US Attorney General Eric Holder makes clear his - and the administration's - support for marriage equality across the United States:

This week, the Justice Department will file a brief setting forth our position that state bans on same-sex marriage violate the fundamental constitutional guarantee of "equal protection of the laws." It is clear that the time has come to recognize that gay and lesbian people deserve robust protection from discrimination.

Nothing justifies excluding same-sex couples from the institution of marriage. Denying them the right to marry serves only to demean them and their children, to degrade the dignity of their families and to deny them the full, free and equal participation in American life to which every citizen is entitled.

Marriage bans inflict concrete harms that touch nearly every aspect of daily life for gay and lesbian couples. The bans intersect with issues as varied as workers' compensation, taxation and inheritance, posing challenges to basic financial security. Same-sex couples living in states with bans too often face obstacles to adopting and raising children together. And restrictions on medical decision-making and hospital visitation impose devastating burdens during the moments when a partner is needed most.

Read the entire essay at USA Today here.

US Attorney General Issues Statement On SCOTUS Decision To Hear Same-Sex Marriage Cases

Attorney General Eric Holder released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear four cases on same-sex marriage equality:

"After the Justice Department's decision not to defend the constitutionality of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, the Supreme Court sent a powerful message that Americans in same-sex marriages are entitled to equal protection and equal treatment under the law. This landmark decision marked a historic step toward equality for all American families.

"The Supreme Court has announced that it will soon hear several cases raising core questions concerning the constitutionality of same-sex marriages. As these cases proceed, the Department of Justice will remain committed to ensuring that the benefits of marriage are available as broadly as possible. And we will keep striving to secure equal treatment for all members of society - regardless of sexual orientation.

"As such, we expect to file a 'friend of the court' brief in these cases that will urge the Supreme Court to make marriage equality a reality for all Americans. It is time for our nation to take another critical step forward to ensure the fundamental equality of all Americans - no matter who they are, where the come from, or whom they love."

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi Elected Chairperson of Republican Association of Attorneys General

Pam Bondi

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has been elected chairperson of the Republican Association of Attorneys General.

Since taking office, the Associated Press points out that Bondi has accepted $51,000 in gifts (hotels, meals, free trips) to attend RAGA events.

Bondi, along with Florida Gov. Rick Scott, is responsible in great part for continuing the ban on same-sex marriage in the state.

President Obama To Nominate Loretta Lynch For US Attorney General

On Saturday, President Obama will nominate Brooklyn federal prosecutor Loretta Lynch for US Attorney General, replacing outgoing AG Eric Holder.

From Reuters:

President Barack Obama will nominate Brooklyn federal prosecutor Loretta Lynch to replace the retiring Eric Holder as U.S. attorney general and if confirmed, she would become the first black woman to serve in the post, the White House said on Friday.

The 55-year-old North Carolina native and Harvard-trained lawyer has deep experience in both civil rights and corporate fraud cases.

Lynch is known for a low-key personality and stirred little controversy during two tenures as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

Her nomination requires Senate confirmation. The Senate twice previously has voted to confirm her to federal prosecutor jobs, the last time in 2010.

Bolding is mine.

This should be an easy confirmation in that the Senate has already confirmed her twice before.

Or will the now GOP controlled Senate decide to get unnecessarily political with this confirmation?

We shall see...

Two of Ms. Lynch's cases to note:

• Lynch first gained attention for her work prosecuting members of the New York City Police Department for the 1997 beating and sexual assault of a Haitian immigrant with a broom handle. The case became a national symbol of police brutality.

• Lynch has led the prosecution of Rep. Michael Grimm, a Republican congressman from Staten Island, for alleged tax fraud. Even under indictment, Grimm was reelected to the House this week.

US Attorney General Eric Holder Announces Resignation

Attorney General Eric Holder will announce his resignation today: http://t.co/XQyGCmJHoe pic.twitter.com/YNrNvLuxFs

— msnbc (@msnbc) September 25, 2014

Attorney General Eric Holder has offered his resignation and will step down as soon as his successor can be confirmed.

Via NPR:

The decision to leave was Holder's alone — the two sources tell NPR that the White House would have been happy to have him stay a full eight years and to avoid what could be a contentious nomination fight for his successor. Holder and Obama discussed his departure several times and finalized things in a long meeting over Labor Day weekend at the White House.

Florida Attorney General says same-sex marriage would "impose significant public harm"

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) has asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit against the state of Florida filed on behalf of eight same-sex couples seeking recognition of their out-of-state marriages.

With an argument NO state has yet to find successful in court, AG Bondi writes in court documents that recognizing the marriages would “impose significant public harm.”

From ABC News:

Bondi's office also argues that the state has a legitimate interest in defining marriage as between a man and woman. Florida first banned same-sex marriages nearly two decades ago and voters reinforced that ban when they passed a constitutional amendment in 2008.

"Florida's marriage laws, then, have a close, direct, and rational relationship to society's legitimate interest in increasing the likelihood that children will be born to and raised by the mothers and fathers who produced them in stable and enduring family units," Bondi's office said in court documents.

The state's legal position also notes that there would be significant financial and logistical problems for the state's pension and health insurance programs if same-sex marriages were recognized.

Virginia's Attorney General files brief in support of marriage equality lawsuit

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has filed a brief with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of AFER's marriage equality lawsuit.

One of the key tenets of Herring's brief focuses on the fact that "heightened scrutiny" should be applied in deciding the case.  From his brief:

Virginia’s same-sex-marriage ban violates the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. Because the ban substantially interferes with the right to marry, it is subject to strict scrutiny.

The ban also discriminates on the basis of gender and sexual orientation, triggering at least heightened scrutiny.

All of the considerations apply here for the judiciary to be suspicious of laws that discriminate against gay people. And the Clerks’ claim that the ban treats men and women equally is like saying that interracial-marriage bans treat blacks and white equally, an argument rejected by the Supreme Court.

Like many AG's across the country, Herring has refused to defend the law on the basis that he feels it is unconstitutional.

(via JMG)

US Attorney General Eric Holder says state AG's not required to defend unconstitutional laws

US Attorney General Eric Holder shared in an interview yesterday that state attorney generals are not required to defend laws that are found to be unconstitutional.

Careful not to encourage state AG's to disavow their own laws, Holder said that officials who have carefully studied marriage equality bans could refuse to defend them.

From the New York Times:

“Engaging in that process and making that determination is something that’s appropriate for an attorney general to do,” Mr. Holder said.

As an example, Mr. Holder cited the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which forced public school integration in 1954.

“If I were attorney general in Kansas in 1953, I would not have defended a Kansas statute that put in place separate-but-equal facilities,” Mr. Holder said.

The nation’s first black attorney general, Mr. Holder has said he views today’s gay-rights campaigns as a continuation of the civil rights movement that won rights for black Americans in the 1950s and ’60s. He has called gay rights one of “the defining civil rights challenges of our time.”

Currently, six state AG's have refused to defend gay marriage bans in courtrooms while still enforcing the laws.

(source)